Veterinarians

Our Mission

Parsemus Foundation works to advance innovative and neglected medical research. The foundation’s focus is on supporting small proof-of-concept studies and then pursuing press coverage of the results, so that the advances change treatment practice rather than disappearing into the scientific literature. Many of the studies we support involve low-cost approaches that are not under patent. When supporting development of technologies under patent, Parsemus Foundation coordinates with larger funders to make sure support is contingent upon strong public-sector pricing agreements.

Current areas of focus are contraceptive development (particularly long-acting nonhormonal male methods); nonhormonal contraception/nonsurgical sterilization for animals; and an alternative to aromatase inhibitors after breast cancer for better quality of life. And that’s not all– additional projects are listed in the page links above. Applications for support are by invitation only except where specifically noted. Please see Our History page for selected highlights and milestones.

November 14, 2017Simple treatment for chemotherapy pain
Individuals undergoing chemotherapy often suffer from side effects, including pain or numbness in the hands and feet (called chemotherapy-induced...

What People Are Saying

We always need to focus on the males just as much as females. Feline AIDS, cat fight abscesses, and human bites usually occur from intact males. Roaming from being intact increases the risk of hit by cars.

What People Are Saying

I currently have over 300 cats waiting for spay/neuter. We handle 26 rural counties in middle GA… I would offer $5-10 “Fix ’em Fridays” But would prefer the product that REDUCES the testosterone levels. However beggars can not be choosers and therefore we will happily accept ANYTHING that reduces our unwanted pet population numbers. Remember we have no shelters, no animal controls—shooting is the greatest form of euthanasia in the country areas by people/owners who just can’t deal with all them critters anymore.

Barbara Bruigom, President/Founder, The Rescue Ranch, McRae, Georgia

What People Are Saying

Adopters want to know male cats won’t spray and male dogs won’t have the fighting, roaming, humping tendencies. If male chemical sterilization was available that was permanent and reduced testosterone thus reducing undesirable behaviors, we could alter more females with the surgical time saved and hope that soon a chemical sterilant will become available for females. In our application the new product would be game changing. A simple injection that did both [sterilizes and modifies behavior] would be a good answer and well worth the dollars spent for regulatory approval. An even better answer would be a chemical sterilant for males and females but reducing our surgical time by 50% for the male population would be huge.

What People Are Saying

Animal Control, whether or not it performs spays or neuters of pets, is greatly impacted by the animals that are not altered. This impact is felt in two ways. First, most animals are abandoned at shelters due to behavioral problems and many of these problems are associated with intact males and testosterone-related. Secondly, the unintended breeding of unaltered pets adds significantly to the population of pets and increases the cost of any animal control program.

Mitch S., Washoe County Regional Animal Services, Reno, NV

What People Are Saying

Having a chemical solution to replace [female] spayings would be a total revolution and have a bigger impact; but still, an injectable sterilant for males would be of much help and reduce our costs significantly. We do an average of 2,000 spay/neuterings per year, 35% males. Considering that last year we spent 60,000 euros on anesthetics and medicines (mostly antibiotics), we could save approximately 10,000 euros [approx. $13,000] per year and increase the number of castrations thanks to a quicker procedure.

President, dog rescue and TNR organization, Romania

What People Are Saying

I think it would be game changing in feral cats. To be able to do this in the field would be amazing.

Founder, rescue group, South-central United States

What People Are Saying

I think it would be game changing if it got FDA approval. I will not use [a product that doesn’t change behavior] because behavior and population weigh equally to me. People are not as interested in animals with behavior issues, and if they don’t get adopted then we still have a shelter population problem.

Consulting veterinarian, cat rescue organization, Wisconsin

What People Are Saying

I think for cost reasons alone it would appeal to some of our residents who are hesitant to bring the cats in because of cost factor but would be more willing to do so on cats no one owns if a less expensive option were available. I do believe that in our area we have an equal number of people who bring animals to our S/N clinic for nuisance reasons. The cat fights, yowling/howling, destruction of property from marking, escaping dogs (and cats), which most attribute to the males… So I do not think it is only a female problem. We see a lot of male aggression that is more manageable after neuter and can often be eliminated if done before puberty.

What People Are Saying

I know that I for one would NOT have a male cat who would still spray…and the leg-lifting and humping of formerly chained dogs has to be stopped for our rescue to be effective. So I’m for the choice of spending the time and money to use the sterilant that changes behavior.

Tamira T., Founder, Dogs Deserve Better, Tipton, PA

What People Are Saying

So many don’t want to put their animal through surgery. This would solve that argument. It would be great to use the injection when surgery is not a option.

Karen R., President/CEO, Central Arkansas SPCA, Arkansas, USA

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

Having control over when I have children is the foremost thing in my life. I place great value on having freedom of choice and freedom from worry. Also, being a person with not much money living in a third world country, a cheap contraceptive is imperative…

Anonymous, South Africa

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

As a male I would not take any contraceptive that altered my hormonal balance. And the idea of getting a MONTHLY injection – are you crazy??? (This is probably why surveys come back saying there’s limited interest in male contraceptives – given that sort of choice, I’m not interested either!). However, a one-time injection (every 5-10 years) such as RISUG/Vasalgel that does not mess with the hormonal balance, and is reversible… what’s not to like? Sign me up, NOW please!

Terry S., Australia

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

I do not wish to further my genetic line due to a severe bleeders disease, which also makes normal vasectomy a no-go…

Anonymous, Norway

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

I would like the opportunity to be more intimate with my partner and condoms bar that, beyond the conventional ‘doesn’t feel as good’ argument. However, I am extremely concerned about the failure rates of the Pill due to human error and would like to take some responsibility for my future finances into my own hands without being abstinent.

New college graduate, age 22, Florida, USA

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

I want control of my fertility that is safe, convenient to use and totally effective. That way I can be in control of my life rather than putting it in the hands of women and government agencies.

S. Gee, South Korea

What People Are Saying About Vasalgel

I am a woman and as a migraine sufferer, my contraceptive choices are limited to IUDs or progestin-only pills. Since I experience unwanted side effects with these, we rely on condoms. A longer-term “no-worry” solution would be much preferred. It would be worth the cost as opposed to an unwanted pregnancy!

Sara D., married, no kids, Ohio, USA

Featured Studies

Successful reversal of Vasalgel male contraceptive in rabbits For immediate release: Vasalgel’s prevention of sperm transport in the vas deferens for 14 months was reversed through an injection of sodium bicarbonate. Sperm concentration and motility returned to baseline. Results of a study of a promising new male contraceptive called VasalgelTM were published today in Basic… Read more

Press Release Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 20:00 EST New contraceptive Vasalgel provides effective birth control in rhesus monkey groups for more than one year: report from California National Primate Research Center Results of a study of Vasalgel in rhesus macaques were published today in Basic and Clinical Andrology. Vasalgel is being developed by a social… Read more